Control system for looms



p 1938- w. JOYCE ET AL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR LOOMS Filed Oct. 25, 1937 5 sheets-sheet 1 wucm mt f'ald P 27, 1938- i w. JOYCE ET AL 3 CONTROL SYSTEM FOR Looms Filed Oct. 25-, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 .Zlyz rdan W Jayne -Har a]d L; E055 Sept. 27, 1938.

L. W. JOYCE ET AL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR LOOMS Filed Oct. 25, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 C L i Herald L Sept. 27, 1938. L. w. JOYCE ET AL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR LOOMS Filed ed. 25, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I gvwcm fo' b lyzzdmz W J0 as Harald L. F055 Sept. 27, 1938 w JQYCE ET AL 2,131,706

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR LOOMS Filed Oct. 25, 1957 E-Sheets-Shget 5 1 N o I 2])WWA.

' @0 01] W Jayme Hera/d L. F055 Patented Sept. 27, 1938 UNITED STATES CONTROL SYSTEM FOR LooMs Lyndon W. Joyce and Harold L. Ross, Greensboro, N. 0., assignors to Southern Webbing Mills, Inc., Greensboro, N. 0., a corporation of North Carolina ApplicationOctober 25, 1937, Serial No. 170,942

14 Claims.

This invention relates to the electrical control of the operative sequences of a loom, for causing it automatically to periodically and alternatingly vary the character of the weaving, and at the will of the operator, to change the duration of the periods of operation which determine the linear extent of the variations.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as described and illustrated in this application for patent, the loom produces the variations in the character of the weaving through the instrumentality of a normal warp and an auxiliary Warp, the latter being brought alternately into and out of the weaving plane of the normal warp and held in either position for a period of weaving determined by the number of weft courses or picks required to produce a section of one kind or pattern of weaving.

One of the objects of the invention is to control the duration of the active and inactive periods of the auxiliary warp electrically by alternately actuated switches respectively controlled by, counting devices, one concerned with counting the picks when both the normal and auxiliary warps are engaged in the weaving, the other when the normal warp only is so engaged, the counting devices being settable to respond, after the execution of any number of determined picks, to close one or the other of said switches thereby 30 actuating mechanism for shifting the auxiliary warp from one position to the other with respect to the normal warp. It is obvious that any number of picks may be made of one style of weaving up to and into the thousands if desired, which would be impractical in view of its unwieldiness with the use of a card chain control system. v

Another object of the invention is the provision of an electrical system including the switches which are associated with the respective pickcounting devices, including relays suitably arranged to respond to the closing of either of the pick-counting device switches for establishing electrical paths that will cause an immediate operation of the other pick-counting device and the eventual reoperation of the first pick-counting deviceafter the second pick-counting device has completed its determined number of counts and closed the switch which it 'actuates.

A further object of the invention is to provide in the electrical system as described above, circuit arrangement which will flash a signal after one of the pick-counting devices has fulfilled its counting of the determined number of picks, and while the other is counting, indicatingthat I prising two integral sections. one of each type the first pick-counting device is awaitinggto be set either to'the same or a difierentnumber of I picks according to the desire of the operator, in readiness for the resumption'of its phase in the cycle of operation of the loom.

Still another object of the inventionis the provision of a cycle counter and a stop motion element for the loom, electrically controlled so that the cycle counter counts once for each complete alternation of said warp-shifting mecha- Q nism, until the predetermined number of cycles for'which it was set has been .realized', at the end of which period, a switch mechanically actuated by said cycle counter closescuttingofi the 'motive power of the loom andsimultaneously 15 operating a signal indicating the source of the interruption. V

In the present exemplary embodiment of the invention, the fabric iscut into units, each com- 20 of weaving in consequence of which the cycle counter is' useful as aproduction counter and will be hereinafter referred to as such through+ out the specification and claims. 1

Other objects of the invention will appear as the preferred and practical embodiment thereof proceeds. j I

In the drawings which accompany and forma part' of the specification and throughout the several figures of which the same characters of :30 reference have been employed to designate identical parts:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a" loom with an electrical control, combined according-"to the principles of the present invention; .35

Figure 2 is a cross section through the loom; Figure 3 is a layout, largely diagrammatic of p the electrical system throughwhich the operative sequences of the loom arecontrolled; 1

Figure 4 is a view in' detail'of the means for bringing the auxiliary warp" into andout of operative position with respect to the normal warp; v Figure 5 is-a plan view of a pick counter: Figure 6 is a cross section taken along the line 6-6 of Figure-5;

Figure '7 is a cross section taken along the line 1-! of Figure 5. f I

Figure 8 is a plan view somewhat diagram"- matic of a modified form of the invention in which the pick counters are mechanicallyactu ated and electrically shifted;

Figure9 is a section taken along the line 99 ofFigureB; a Figure 10 is a view in elevation partly in sectiOn showing a variant of the'invention in. which 55 and first adverting to the loom l as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, this is basically a narrow fabric loom having the breast beam 2, which carries a plurality of simultaneously actuated oscillating shuttles 3, the spaces between which shuttles are obstructed by grids 4 of vertical rods or wires for beating up the fabric. The normal warp it will be understood, is separated into a plurality of portions, the threads of which pass through the spaces between the wires of the respective grids. In Figure 2, it will be observed that the threads of the normal warp are separated by two oppositely vertically reciprocating harness frames 5 and 6. f p 7 Insofar as the loom has beencsketchily described, up to this point, it is conventional and old. The present invention provides an-auxiliary warp 8 carried by a harness auxiliary-frame 9 and adapted to be. brought into or moved out of operative relation to the normal warp by the vertical reciprocatory movements of the auxiliary frame. Figure 2 shows the auxiliary warp 8 in. its lowermost position and it will be understood that the frame 9 rises to the height of the frame 5 in the positon-shown in Figure 2, carrying the auxiliary warp up to the plane of the warp threads of the frame 5. V 7

Let it be assumed for the purpose ofthe present description that thenorn al warpthreads are of cotton while the auxiliary warp is of strands of covered rubber yarnmaintained under tension by means such as theweight l 0. When the auxiliary warp is out, the woven ,web is altogether of cotton. When the auxiliary warp is in, the webbing is elastic. The product of the loom therefore is a narrow webbing having integrally woven sections of inelastic and-elastic material.

It is contemplated in connection with the present invention that the inelastic and elastic sections will be of considerable. length, each involving several hundred weft courses or-picks and that the webbing will bemade in continuous strips having alternate inelastic and elastic sections. It is conceivable that such webbing could be made through a chain card pattern, but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that in order to reproduce several picks of different type of weaving would require an inordinate number of cards. .The present invention proposes to control the making of the alternate different sections by pick-counting devices, themselves electrically or mechanically :actuated and which in turn electrically effect the sequences of operation of theloom: It also proposes theprovision of meansfor varying the" number of picks inthe alternately different sections at will, and during the operation of the loom. 1

Before proceeding with the description of the controlling instrumentalities and ,the electrical system appurtenant thereto,-it may be stated that the type of loom and the nature of the fabric as specifically describedhas been chosen inorder to present the invention in the simplest possible manner, it being understood that a larger number of auxiliary warps may "be employed, the material may be of Wide instead of narrow fabric,

and the auxiliary warp may be of other thread than covered rubber, and still be within the purview of the invention as claimed.

Referring to Figure 1, a panel I l is observed on which are mounted pick-counting devices I 2 and I3 and a counter 14 which at the present momentmay be ignored. The counting device [2 counts the picks or weft courses that are made when only the normal warp is in weaving position while the counting device l3 counts the picks made while the auxiliary or rubber warp is in weaving position in conjunction with the normal warp. No invention insofar as the structure of the counting devices per se, is attributed to the present invention. The counting devices l2 and I3 may both be alike and have the structural elements shown in Figures 5, 6 and '7, or their equivalents. In these figures, theshaft I5 is shown having frictionally or loosely mounted thereupon, and in frictional contact, a plurality of disks l6, l1 and I8, one for each digit. Theremay be three or more disks according to the capacity of the counting devices. In the present illustration, there are three and the capacity of the counting devicewould be 999. The units disk I6 is actuatedby means such as the pawl I9 on an arm 20 which is actuated by a solenoid 2| and retracted by a spring 22. The other disks are temporarily held against rotatiton by the conventional gears 23 and 24 with interrupted teeth and when the units disk has made a complete revolution it picks up the tens disk I! and carries it a distance equal to the value of one ten whereupon the hundreds disk is again locked until the units disk make another revolution. In the same manner the hundreds disk I Bis picked up and rotated.

' Each of thedisks has a transverse slot 25 and when the disks are all in zeroposition the three slots 25 are in alignment. A rod 26 rests lightly across the peripheral faces of the disks as illustrated in Figure 6, said rodbeing maintained parallel to the axis of the shaft I5 by suitable means such as the bifurcated post 21 between the limbs of which the rod 26 canv reciprocate. On one end of the rod is a switch contact 28 adapted to close with a complementary switch contact 29, the two, constituting the switch 31. The rod 26 .cannot fall so as to close the switch contacts 28 and 29 while it rests upon the peripheral faces of the disks l6, l1 and I8, but when the disks are in alignment, that is to say, in zero position, the rod drops into the aligned slots 25 closing the switch contacts.

The solenoid 2 l which transmits the mechanical counting impulses to the pick-counting device is i in circuit with a switch 30, see Figure 1, which closes once with each passage of the shuttles.

Figure 1 shows that the shuttle-actuating rack bar 3| is reciprocated back and forth by a pitman 32 on a crank wheel 33 which has cam projections 34 and 35 making contact with the plunger 36 which is connected tothe movable member of the pick switch 30. The counting devices shown are of the type .which'may be set to indicate the determined number of picks that are to be woven and will work back to zero, so that when the zero position is reacheda'length of fabric has been woven that has been determined by the setting of the pick-counting device.

Supposing for example that the pick-counting device l2 which counts the number of picks for only the normal warp is set for 640 as shown in Figure 1, it will go back one digit for each passage of the shuttle until 'zero is reached whereupon therod 26 will fall, closing the switch'3'l. This immediately brings the auxiliary warp'into oper ative position withrespect to the normal warp. It does so through the following train of mecha nism: Figure 1 shows that the frame 9 which carries the auxiliary warp 8 is raised and lowered through means such as the cable 38'attached to the horizontally reciprocating bar 39, the endof. which has a pin 43 which rests in a rabbet M inthe upper end of the reciprocating pitman 42. The said pitman constantly oscillates by means of an'arm 43 on a crank 44 which rotates once for every complete back and forth passage of the shuttles. Since the frame 9 is active only when the auxiliary warp is in operative position, means are provided for throwing the bar '39 out of engagement with the pitman 42 .when it is desired that the frame 9 shall be inactive and for throwing it into operative engagement with the pitman 42 when it is desired to incorporate the auxiliary warp into the weaving; The connecting and disconnecting means comprises a swinging lever 45 pivotally mounted at an intermediate point 46 on the frame of the loom and oscillatable in a plane at right angles to the direction'of reciprocation of the bar 39. On its front the bar39 has a cam 4! which is less than the length of the amplitude of reciprocation of'the bar 39'having a pointed end 48. The upper end of the-lever 45 has an anti-friction roller 49-, the height of the roller being such that when the bar 39 is in the position shown in Figure l, retracted to its fullest extent through the weight 59, the roller 49 is in front of the cam above the level of the lower'face thereof, but out of contact therewith, the pin being then seated .in the rabbet M. The bar 39 under these conditions is reciprocated by the pitman 42 and synchronously therewith.

The lower end SI of the lever is connected by means such as the link 52 with the middle arm 53 of a double bell crank lever having lateral arms 56 and 55. To each of these lateral arms is pivotally connected an armature 56 and 51 respectively attracted by the respective solenoids 58 and 59. In the position of the parts shown in Figure 4, both the normal warp and the auxiliary warp are involved in the weaving. The switch 31 of the pick-counting device I3 is in circuit with the winding of the solenoid 58; so-that when the switch 3'! closes at the completion of the number of picks for which the pick-counting device I3 was set, the solenoid 59 is energized, pulling down the armature 51 and rocking the double rocking lever to the opposite position, throwing the link 52 backwards in the direction of the arrow and pushing the roller 49 into contact with the cam 47. When the bar 39 is reciprocated to the right as viewed in Figure 1, the switch 31 closes and the action described takes place so that cam 41 rides on the roller 49 and disengages the pin from the rabbet iI, breaking the connection between the bar 39 and the pitman 42 so that the bar no longer reciprocates, but remains inactive in its extreme leftward position until the double 'rocking lever is again reversed. When this next reversal takes place which will be afterthe counting device I2 has returned to zero position and the normal warp section of" the fabric has beenwoven, the solenoid 58 which is closed by the switch 31 of the pick-counting device I2 has been energized and the double rocking lever again tilted to the position illustrated in Figure 4.

Immediately after the shift has been made in the operation of the loom from the section of fabric in which only the normal. warp was em ployed to that section in which the. auxiliary warp was incorporated,the pick-counting device I2 associated with the weaving of the normal warp section is ready for resetting and may be set any time during the operation of the pickcounting device I3. In order to attract the at tention of the operator to the fact that the pickcounting device should be reset, a pilot lamp'fil is-provided which flashes with each movement of the breast beam during the entire time that the pick-counting device I3 is in operation, or as much of said time as elapses up to the point at which the pick-counting device I2 is reset.

Likewise, the pick-counting device I3 which is as-.- sociated with the incorporationof theauxiliary warp into the weaving has the pilot'light 62 which flashes during the operation of the pick-- counting device I2. indicating that the pick counting device I3 needs resetting. L

At this time it becomes necessary to refer to the electrical diagram of'Figure 3 in which" the pick-counting devices I2 and I3 are shown near the bottom left hand end of the sheet, and in which the pick switch 39 has an armaturewhich oscillates between lower andupper pairs of contacts. the normal warp only, the solenoid ZI which actuates the pick-counting device I2 is energized each time the pick switch armature closes the lower pair of contacts.

Before attempting to trace the various circuits involved inthe functioning of the electrical control system, attention is directed to the impulse While the weaving is being done with i switches '63 and -64 alternately actuated, each having an armature making simultaneous ene gagement with contacts of each of three pairs of.

contacts, and alternately'with the other contacts of said pairs. I r 1 There are also three relays 65, 66 and 61 which accomplish essential shifts in the circuit paths, the relaysEE and E8 being'concerned with the shift from one of the controlling pick-counting devices tothe other, and the relay 61 being associated with the production counter I4 and the stop motion assembly, consisting of the'switches 99 and H5 and the solenoid IIJL. 7

Assuming now that the normal warp only is being woven; the current which actuates the pick-counting device I2 may be traced from the line wire a through solenoid 2|, wire i, contact 85 of the lowermost armature of impulse switch 54, wire 0, armature of pick switch to line wire-b. This'circuit is opened and closed once for every pick, andthe pick-counting device I2 is actuated accordingly. T l

When the determined number of picks has been made, the closing of the switch 3'! has established the following circuits: From line wire b through switch 37', wire c,jthrough coil of relay 66, (this shifting the armature of said relay from upper m" J to lower circuit closing position) At the same time the current-passes by way'of the wire 0 through the armature of relay '65, the point ac, contact 15;, throughupper armature of impulse switch63, energizing the coil It of said impulse switch, immediately causing all three. armatures to close with thecontacts 13,19 and 89 and "to 'break with the contacts-l5, It andI'I, At the same time also, current passes from point-ac through wire e, through the mechanically closed switch "II, and solenoid 12 of the relay switch I3 which in turn closes a circuit by way of the line wires to and b through the coil 53 which .actuates -the rocking bell crank lever 68 of 'theshiiter.

All the above functionshavetranspiredduring the single instant of closure of the pick switch 30.

On the very next closing movement the pick switch 30 opens lower contact and upon closing upper contact, current passes from the line wire b, switch 31, wire 0, contact 80, wire m, pick switch 30 (upper position), wire n to point 11, then through armature of relay 61 (in upper position) through the middle armature of impulse switch 63 in its lower position, contact I9, to upper armature of impulse switch 64, energizing the solenoid 82, throwing all of the armatures of impulse switch 64 to their lower positions, then passing through the middle armature of impulse switch 64, through contact 81, wire g to indicator lamp 6|.

The moving of the lowermost armature of the impulse switch 64 to its lower position prepares the path for the passage of the current to the solenoid of the pick-counting device I3, so that on the next downward closing movement of the pick switch, the current passes from line wire I), through armature of pick switch 30, wire 0, contact 88, wire 9, through solenoid 92 of the pick-counting device I3 to line wire a.

Now the pick-counting device I3 begins to count and every time the pick switch breaks with the upper pick switch contacts, the lamp 6I associated with the pick-counting device I2 blinks.

The operator may reset the pick-counting device I2 at any time while this lamp is flashing. Resetting of said pick-counting device opens the mechanically operated switch 31. This breaks the circuit through the coil of relay 66 which has been holding down the armature of said relay, and breaks the circuit of the signal lamp 6|, permanently extinguishing it. The lamp 6| is lighted by the closing of the following circuit: Line b, the switch 31, wires 0, contact 80, wire m, upper contact 30, wire 11., point y, contact 81, wire g, to lamp M to line a. When the predetermined number of picks involving the auxiliary warp have been reached on the pickcounting device I3, the switch 90 is closed mechanically. This completes a circuit which may be traced from line wire I), switch 90, wire d, solenoid 92 of relay 65, causing the armature of said relay to break its upper contacts and close its down contacts. The current passes also through the armature of relay 66 in its upper position, to contact I8 of impulse switch 63, passing through the upper armature of said impulse switch which is then in its down position, energizing the solenoid I of said impulse switch, reversing the position of all the armatures of said switch. At the same time, the circuit passes by way of wire 1 through the mechanically closed switch III of the shifter energizing the solenoid 93, causing the relay armature 94 to close the circuit which includes the line wires a and I), through the shifter solenoid rocking the bell crank lever 60 in the opposite direction, cutting out the auxiliary warp from the weaving.

A wire 7c tapped into the circuit of the shifter solenoid carries current to the solenoid 95 of the production counter I4, which solenoid is grounded to the line wire a. This registers one count on the production counter every time the solenoid 59 is energized. Sincethe production counter operates solely in response to the sole-' noid 59, it registers only once for a complete unit of'weaving.

When the production counter has reached the limit to which it is set, it automatically stops the loom. This it does by mechanically closing the switch 96 in the same or similar manner to that of the pick-counting devices I2 and I3. Closing the switch 96 establishes a circuit from the line wire b through switch 96, lamp 91, to line wire a. At the same time current passes from the line wire b, switch 96, wire Z to solenoid 98 of relay 61. This shifts the relay armature closing the circuit from line wire b through the lower contacts of relay 61, through wire p, through the normally closed contacts of the limit switch 99 energizing relay coil I00, closing a circuit including the line wires 11. and I) through the stop motion solenoid IOI which operates a shifter rod or other means not shown to disengage clutch of the motor which operates the loom, thus stopping the loom.

Should the switch 31 be closed by reason of counter I2 completing its number of pick counts and not being reset, it holds contacts of relay 66 in lower position energizing the solenoid 68, through the following circuit: Wire 1), switch 31, wire 0, solenoid 68, wire a. If the switch 90 closes before switch 31 is opened manually by resetting the counter l2, a circuit is closed through line I), switch 90, wire d, solenoid 92 of the relay 65, line (1. Thus relays 65 and 66 are both in lower position and the circuit is closed through line b, lower contact of relay 66, lower contact 65, wire p, switch 99, relay II5, solenoid I 0|, to the line a, thus stopping the loom. The pilot lamp 6| remains lighted and no shifting takes place. Upon resetting the counter I2, switch 31 opens, allowing the relay 66 to rise closing the circuit which actuates the armature of the switch 63, shifting contact of the switch 64 and sets the loom for operation of the counter I2.

In a narrow fabric loom such as that illustrated in the present application, since a number of units are simultaneously woven the production counter is pre-set to a number which is the quotient of the number of units desired to be made divided by the number of units which aremade simultaneously, and the loom will automatically stop just as soon as the desired number of units has been Woven, at the same time flashing a continuous signal to the effect that the weaving has been completed and the loom is at a standstill. The invention is of course not limited to the weaving of narrow fabrics.

In that form of the invention illustrated in the group of Figures 8 to 11, inclusive, the

counting function of both pick counters and the production counter is performed by means entirely mechanical. The numeral I02 represents a shaft in the loom-driving mechanism suitably geared to a cam shaft I03 which operates the pick counters. The shaft I03 has a flat portion I04 forming a guide for an axially movable sleeve I08.

The sleeve carries a cam I05, see particularly Figure 9, having a curved tread I06 and an abrupt shoulder 101. The pick counter I 2 or I3) has an arm I 09 carrying an anti-friction roller I l0 which rides on the tread I06 of the cam and by means of which the arm I09 is elevated. The arm may be associated with a pawl and ratchet movement'such as that shown in Figure 7. When the roller falls from the shoulder I 01, the arm descends causing the pawl to pull the mechanism through an angle causing the registration of one unit. The cam I is shown as being arranged to alternately serve either pick counters I2 or [3. This is accomplished by sliding the sleeve until the cam underlies'either of the arms IE9 or I09 associated with the respective pick counters.

The sliding movement is accomplished by the reciprocation of an. armature between two alternately energized solenoids H2 and H3. These solenoids do not find their functional counterpart in the form of the invention described in Figures 1 to 7, inclusive.

Referring to the electrical diagram of Figure 11, those parts which bear the same reference characters as in Figure 3 are the same and do not need to be re-described.

It being understood that pick counter I2 is now counting the picks mechanically, a circuit is already closed through the cam shifting solenoid H2, the circuit path being from the line b, solenoid H2, wire r to points, thence to contact 16 of impulse switch 63, the armatures of which are then in the upper position to the line a. The solenoid H2 is holding the cam in operative relation to the arm IQQ of the pick counter I2.

At the same time a circuit is closed through the solenoid 58 of the shifter lever 80, the circuit path being from line b through solenoid 58 to point s to contact 76 to line wire a. This holds the auxiliary warp frame in action.

When the pick counter I2 has counted the full number of picks for which it was set, the mechanical switch 3'! closes. This makes a circuit which actuates the impulse switch 63, dropping the armatures of said impulse switch to their lower contact positions. This action breaks the circuit through solenoid H2 of the pick counter IAand the shifter solenoid 58 and closes a-circuit through the solenoid I I3 which shifts the cam to the pick counter I3; and also closes the circuit through the shifter solenoid 59 moving the auxiliary warp frame out of operative position. These circuits may be traced as follows: upon closing of the mechanical switch 37, current passes from line a through switch 37, wire 13, upper contacts bridged by armatures 69 of relay 65,'contact 75 of impulse switch (53 to solenoid 70 of said switch, energizing the latter and throwing down the three 'armatures of said impulse switch. The middle armature shifts from contact 'lS'to contact '19 breaking the circuits previously described, through solenoids I l2 and 58 and closing the fol-- lowing circuits, from line b through solenoid I I3,

wire '0, contact 19 to line a; also from line b, through solenoid 59, wire 1:, contact I9, to line a. Closing of the switch it! has also established a circuit from line a, switch 3?, wire it, to the point e to the solenoid E8 of relay 65 pulling the armature of said relay down to lower contact position, thence to line b. This position of thearmature of relay 65 will be useful in the eventthat one neglects timely resetting of the pick counter I2. Simultaneously with the circuit shifts just described, closure of the mechanical switch 3? has established a circuit through the lamp 6| as follows: from line a, through switch 31, wire w, lamp 6I, wire ee, contact 89 of impulse switch through wire 17, pick switch 36 to line b; Inasmuch as the pick switch is opening for each pick count, the lamp iii of pick counter I2 blinks while the pick counter I3 is operating, indicating that the pick counter I 2 needs resetting.

Wlien the pick counter i 3 has counted its quota of picks, the mechanical switch as closes, and, assuming that the switch 37 has beenmechanidaily opened by resetting the pick counter I2, the

armatures of the impulse switch 63 will move to the upper contact-positions, circuits through sole- .noids H3 and-.59 willbe open'edand' circuits .throu'gh'isolenoids .I I2 and 58 will'be again closed.

The circuit through lamp 6| was broken when theswitchw3'l'was opened in the resetting of the pick: counter l 2 and the circuit through lamp 62 which is associated with pick counter I3 will be established when the counting functions are shifted'from pick counter I3 topick counter l2.

The circuits"establishedby the closing ofthe' ll), said impulse .switch lifting all of the armatures of said switch to their-upper contact position. At the same time another circuit is closed from lineb through the solenoid H2, wire it to contact 76 to line a. A circuit i's'also closedfrom line b, to solenoid 58-to point 8, to contact 76,1to

lined. At the same time a circuit is closed from line a through switch 9|], lamp 62, wire lclc, con- -tact'll, pick switch 30 to lineb. Thus lamp 62 will blink while the pick counter is operating,

until the pick counter I3 is reset, which resetting operation opens the switch 90.

Should the switch 3? remain closed by reason of the pick counter I2 completing its numberof pick counts without being'reset, it holds the armature of relay 6 6 in its low contact position. If the switch 99 closes before thejs witch' 3'! is opened 'manually by resetting the pick counter I2, a circuitis closed through line a, lowercontacts of relay 65, lowercontacts of relay 66, limit 'switch'99, 'solenoid'lilb of relay H5, to line b This pullsdown the armature of relay H5, clos- 7 ing a circuit from'line a through armature of relay H5 through solenoid IOI of stop motion switch and to line b. Under such acondition", that'is, where both of themechanical switches 3! andfifl, are clo'sed which means that both pick counters have operated to thelimit of their set ting without eitherhavingbeen reset, the loom stops. A bell: n5 isshown in circuit with a limit switch99 'so'that if desired, the limit switch can be manually pushed to its low contact position v in which the aforementioned functions will be performed and in addition an alarm; will ring indicating'that the loom has ceased operating; Reverting once again to the mechanical group, Figures 8 to 10, inclusive, the production counter is'seen at H! supported bya stationary frame member and'having its arm: I 09 with anti-friction roller IHJ engaging-the lever 45 which oscillates with the rocking lever 60 0f the shiftermechanism. Since it is assumed that the inner works of the production counter are similarato those illustrated in Figures 5', 6 and 7 in connection with the pick counters, it is obvious thaLt'thEIPIOdHCIJiOII counter operates once only on each complete o'scillation of the. shifter mechanism. This is .as it should be, for one unit of production is considered to be one section of inelastic-Webbing and the adjacent section of elastic webbing.

Referring now to the electricalfdiagram, Figure 11, the switch 96 closes mechanically when the armature 8|, limit switch 99, solenoid I00 of relay II5, to line b. This pulls down the armature of the relay II5 closing contacts which establish a circuit from line a through armature of the relay H5, through stop motion solenoid 'IOI to, line b. This stops the loom. Closing of the switch 96 also establishes a circuit from line a, through switch 96, lamp 91, to line b. Thus a visual indication is given that the loom has stopped moving which continues until an attendant takes notice and opens a switch II8.

From time to time in the operation of a loom, a warp thread may break or run out, necessitating stopping of the 100m until the thread can be replaced or tied, and ifthe discontinuity of the yarn is not immediately noticed, the weaving may run on, producing an imperfection.

The present invention as illustrated in Figure 11 provides for automatic stopping of the loom upon breaking of the thread. In the electrical diagram, four switches are shown, II9, I29, I2I and I22 in parallel between the lines a and b. Each of these switches serves an entire loom, being held open by any desired mechanical means which releases when the yarn in the warp on the loom breaks, permitting the switch to close. Closing of any one of the switches produces a current through line a, the closed switch, the solenoid I09 of the relay I I5, closing the circuit which includes the stop motion solenoid IIII of the loom. A lamp I23 is in shunt between the line b and one side of the switch circuit which glows when any one of the switches II9 to I22, inclusive, is closed.

The controlling of the lengths of the differentiated fabric sections by means of pick-counting devices provides an efficient and flexible controlling mechanism, permitting a great number of picks to be made in each section, avoiding bulky card chains and like expedients, and giving the operator the opportunity throughout the weaving to vary to any extent desired the lengths of the sections.

For the sake of simplicity the invention has been described in connection with a loom which weaves alternate differentiating sections. It is to be understood however that the principle of the invention can be carried out with a greater number of pick-counting devices than two for the continuous weaving of fabric in which the repeated unit consists of more than two sections.

While we have in the above description defined what we believe to be preferred and practical relationships in the arrangement and cooperation of the members of the control system, it will be understood to those skilled in the art that various changes in the arrangement and disposition of the physical instrumentalities are within the contemplation of the invention as the'exigencies of future use may prescribe.

What we claim is:

1. In a loom of that type which weaves a continuous length of fabric with alternate sections, one incorporating a main warp only and the other the main warp and an auxiliary warp, main and auxiliary warp harnesses, the latter being alternatively shiftable to bring the auxiliary warp into and out of the weaving plane of the main warp,

alternately operating counting devices, respectively controlling the number of picks to be made in each section, actuating means therefor synchronized with the movements of the shuttle of the loom for registering the number of picks on one or the other of said counting devices, said counting devices being settable to predetermine the number of picks to be laidin each section, and means actuated byvone pick-counting device when the number of picks for which it was set has been made, for shifting the operative connection of said counting device actuating means to the other counting device, and shifting the auxiliary warp harness into or out of operative relation to the main warp harness.

2. In a loom of that type which weaves a continuous length of fabric with alternate sections, one incorporating a main warp only and the other the main warp together with an auxiliary warp, main and auxiliary warp harnesses, the latter being shiftable into and out of the weaving plane of the main warp, alternatively operating counting devices respectively controlling the number of picks to be made in each section, means actuating said counting devices responsive to the movements of the shuttle of the loom, said counting devices being settable to predetermine the number of picks to be laid in each section, a switch for each counting device closed thereby when the predetermined number of picks has been registered by said counting devices, said switches each closing the circuit which actuates the other counting device, an instrumentality for throwing said auxiliary warp harness into and out of operative position, circuits alternately closed by the closing of said pick-counting device switches for actuating said instrumentality to shift said auxiliary warp harness alternately into and out of operative position.

3. In a loom of that type which weaves a continuous length of fabric with alternate sections, one incorporating a main warp only and the other the main warp together with an auxiliary warp, main and auxiliary warp harnesses, the latter being shiftable into and out of the weaving plane of the main warp, alternatively operating counting devices, respectively controlling the number of picks to be made in each section, means actuating said counting devices responsive to the movements of the shuttle of the loom, said counting devices being settable to predetermine the number of picks to be laid in each section, a signal for each counting device indicating when it is out of operation, a switch for each counting device closed thereby when the predetermined number of picks has been registered by the respective counting devices, said switches each clos ing the circuit which actuates the other counting device, an instrumentality for throwing said auxiliary warp harness into and out of operative position, circuits alternately closed by the closing of said pick-counting device switches for actuating said instrumentality to shift said auxiliary warp harness alternately into and out of operative position, circuits closed by the respective switches putting out of action the counting device with which the switch is associated and putting the other counting device into action, and operating the signal of the non-operating counting device, indicating that it is in condition to be reset.

4. In a loom of that type which weaves a continuous length of fabric with alternate sections,

one incorporating a main warp only and the othe'r the main warp together with an auxiliary warp, main and auxiliary warp harnesses, the latter being shiftable into and out of the weaving plane of the main warp, alternatively operating counting devices respectively controlling the number of picks to be made in each section; solenoids for actuating said counting devices, a pick switch opening and closing synchronously with the movements of the shuttle of the loom, interposed in common in the circuits of said solenoids, said counting devices being settable to predetermine the number of picks to be laid in each section, a

switch associated with each counting device,

closed thereby when the predetermined number of picks has been registered by said counting device, said switches each closing the circuit which actuates the other counting device, an instruinentality for throwing said auxiliary warp harness into and out of operative position, and circuits closed by the closing of the switches asso-' ciated with said counting devices for actuating said instrumentality to shift said auxiliary warp harness alternately into and out of operative position. v

5. In a loom of that type which weaves a continuous length of fabric with alternate sections, one incorporating a main warp only and the other the main warp together with an auxiliary warp, main and auxiliary warp harnesses, the latter being shiftable into and out of the weaving plane of the main warp, alternatively operating counting devices respectively controlling the number of picks to be made in each section, solenoids for actuating said counting devices, a pick switch opening and closing synchronously with.

the movements of the shuttle of the loom, interposed in common in the circuits of said-solenoids, said counting devices being settable to predetermine the number of picks to be laid in eachsection, a switch associated with each counting device closed thereby when the predetermined number of picks has been registered by said counting device, said switches each closing the circuit which actuates the other counting device, aux iliary warp harness operating mechanism, comprising an arm moving synchronously with the shuttle of the loom, a bar connected to said auxiliary warp harness detachably engaged by said arm and moved thereby during the operative periods of said auxiliary warp harness, a shifter, including a solenoid rocked armature, means moved by said armature 'for tripping said bar out of engagement with said arm and permitting its return to position of engagement with said arm according to the position of said armature, and circuits alternatively closed by the closing of the switches associated with said counting devices for actuating said armature.

6. In a loom of that type which weaves a continuous length of fabric with alternate sections, one incorporating a main warp only and the other the main warp together with an auxiliary warp, main and auxiliary warp harnesses, the latter being shiftable into and out of the weaving plane of the main warp, alternatively operating counting devices respectively controlling the number of picks to be made in each section, solenoids for actuating said counting devices, a pick switch opening and closing synchronously with the movements of the shuttle of the loom, interposed in common in the circuits of said'solenoids, said counting devices being settable to predetermine the number-of picks to be laidin each section,

said arm and reciprocated thereby during the operative periods of said auxiliary warp harness,

a cam on said bar, a shifter including a solenoid rocked armature, means moved by said armature into and out of the path of said cam for alternatively lifting said bar out of engagement with said arm, and permitting its return to position of engagement with said arm according to the position of said armature, and circuits alternatively closed by the closing of the switches as associatedwith the switches of said counting devices for actuating said armature.

'7. In a loom of that type which weaves a continuous length of fabric with alternate sections, one incorporating a main warp only and the other the main warp together with an auxiliary warp, main and auxiliary warp harnesses, the latter being shiftable into and out of'the weav ing plane of the main warp, alternatively operating counting devices respectively controlling the number of picks to be made in each section, solenoids for actuating said counting devicea'a signal for each counting device adapted to be activated during the periods of inactivity of the counting device with which it is associated, a

pick switch having a movable member moving synchronously with the movements of the shuttle of the loom between opposite contacts, said pick switch when in one closed position being inter-,

posed in common in the circuits of said solenoids, -and in the other closed position in common in the circuits of said signals, said counting devices being settable to predetermine the number of picks to be laid in each section, a switch asso ciated with each counting device and closed thereby when the predetermined number of picks has been registered by said counting device, said switches each closing the circuit which actuates the other counting device and the circuit which actuates the signal of its own-mounting: device, auxiliary warp harness operating mechanism comprising an arm oscillating synchronously'with the shuttle of the loom, a bar. connected to said auxiliary warp harness detachably engaged by said arm and reciprocatedthereby during the operative periods of said auxiliary warp harness,

a shifter including a rocking lever, alternatively actuated solenoids for rocking said, lever in opposite directions, acam on said bar, and means moved by said rocking lever to positions of,en-' gagement or disengagement with said cam ,for

lifting said bar out of engagement with said arm or returning it to engagement'therew'ith, and 'circuits'alternatively closed by the closing of the switches associated with the counting devices for actuating the solenoids. l 8. In a loom of that type which weaves a 'continuous length of fabric with alternate sections, one incorporating a main warp only and: the other the main warp together with an auxiliary warp, main and auxiliary warp harnesses, the latter being shiftable into and out of the weaving plane of the main warp, alternatively'operating counting devices respectively controlling the' number of picks to be made in each section, solenoids for actuating said counting devices', a'signa1?for during the periods of inactivity of the counting device with which it is associated, to indicate that the counting device is ready to be reset,'a pick switch having a movable member moving synchronously with the movements of the shuttle of the loom between opposite contacts, said pick switch when in one closed position being interposed in common in the circuits'of said solenoids, and in the other closed position in common in the circuits of said signals, said counting devices being settable to predetermine the number of picks to be laid in each section, a switch associated with each counting device and mechanically closed thereby when the predetermined number of picks has been registered by said counting device, said switches each closing the circuit which actuates the other counting device and the circuit which actuates the signal of its own counting device, auxiliary warp harness operating mechanism comprising an arm oscillating synchronously with the shuttle of the loom; a bar connected to said auxiliary warp harness detachably engaged by said arm and reciprocated thereby during the operative periods of said auxiliary warp harness, a shifter including a rocking lever, alternatively actuated solenoids for rocking said lever in opposite directions, a cam on said bar, and means moved by said rocking lever to positions of engagement or disengagement with said cam for lifting said bar out of engagement with said arm or returning it to engagement therewith, and circuits alternatively closed by the closing of the switches associated with the counting devices for actuating the solenoids, the resetting of either of the counting device switches opening the signal circuit of the corresponding counting device.

9. In a loom of that type which weaves a continuous length of fabric with alternate sections, one incorporating a main warp only and the other the main warp together with an auxiliary warp, main and auxiliary warp harnesses, the latter being shiftable into and out of the weaving plane of the main warp, alternatively operating counting devices respectively controlling the number of picks to be made ineach section, solenoids for actuating said counting devices, a pick switch opening and closing-synchonously with the movements of the shuttleof the loom, interposed in common in the circuits of said solenoids, said counting devices being settable to predetermine the number of picks to be laid in each section, a switch associated with each counting device and closed thereby when the predetermined number of picks has been registered by said counting device, said switches each closing the circuits whichactuates the other counting device, auxiliary warp harness operating mechanism comprising anarm oscillating synchronously with the shuttle of the loom, a bar connected to said auxiliary warp harness detachably engaged by said arm and reciprocated thereby during the operative periods of said'auxiliary warp harness, a shifter including a rocking lever, alternatively actuated solenoids for rocking said lever in opposite directions, relay switches closing circuits for energizing said solenoids, a cam on said bar, and means moved by said rocking lever to positions of engagement or disengagement with said cam for lifting said bar out of engagement with said arm or to return it to engagement therewith, and circuits alternatively closed by the closing of the switches asso- -ciated with the counting devices for actuating one ,or the other of said relay switches for causing the, energization of one or the other of said shifter solenoids, said lever when rocked mechanically, opening the relay switch of the circuit of the solenoidwhich rocked it, and mechanically closing the relay switch of the circuit of the solenoid which shall next rock it.

10. In a loom of that type which weaves a continuous length of'iabric with alternate sections, one incorporating a main warp only and the other the main warp together with an auxiliary warp, main and auxiliary warp harnesses, the latter being shiftable into and out of the weaving plane of the main warp, alternatively operating counting devices respectively controlling the number of picks to be made in each section, solenoids for actuating said counting devices, a signal for each counting device adapted to be activated during the periods of inactivity of the counting device with which it is associated to-indicate that the counting device is ready to be reset, a pick switch having a movable member moving synchronously with the movements of the shuttle of the loom, between opposite contacts, said pick switch when in one closed position being interposed in common in the circuits of said solenoids, and in the other closed position in common with the circuits of said signals, said counting device being settable to predetermine the number of picks to be laid in each section, a switch associated with each counting,

device and mechanically closed thereby when the predetermined number of picks has been registered by said counting device, said switches each closing the circuit which actuates the other counting device and the circuit which actuates the signal ofits own counting device, auxiliary warp harness-operating mechanism comprising an arm oscillating synchronously with the shuttle of the loom, a bar connected to said auxiliary warp harness detachably engaged by said arm and reciprocated thereby during the operative periods of said auxiliary warp harness, a shifter including a rocking lever, alternatively actuated solenoids for rocking said lever in opposite directions, relay switches closing circuits for energizing said solenoids, a cam on said bar, and means moved bysaid'rocking lever to positions of engagement or disengagement with said cam for lifting said bar out of engagement with said arm or returning it to engagement therewith, and circuits alternatively closed by the closing of the switches associated with the counting de vices for actuating one or the other of the relay switches for causing the energization of one or the other of said shifter solenoids, said lever when-rocked, mechanically opening the relay switch of the circuit of the solenoid which rocked it, and mechanically closing the relay switch of the circuit of the solenoid which shall next rock it, the resetting of either of the counting device switches opening the signal circuit of the corresponding counting device.

-11. In'a loom of that type which weaves a continuous length'of fabric with alternate sections,,'one. incorporating a main Warp only and the other the main warp and an auxiliary warp, main arid auxiliary warp harnesses, the latter being alternatively shiftable to bring the auxiliary warp, into and out of the weaving plane of the main warp, alternately operating pickcounting devices, respectively controlling the number of picks to be made in each section, actuating means therefor synchrornz-ed-gwith the movements oifthe shuttle-of thelopm for regise 'tering the number of picks on one or the other said pick-counting device actuating means to the other pick-counting device, and shifting the auxiliary warp harness into or out of operaf'tive relation to the main warp harness, a 'pro duction counter for counting the units of weaving produced in the interval between the beginning of successive operating periods of said auxiliary warp harness, actuating means 'for said production counter in circuit with the switch of one only of said pick-counting devices for registering in said production counter the number of closures of said switch, said production counter being settable for any predetermined number of units, and means actuated by said production counter for stopping the loom when said production counter has registered the number of units for which it was set.

12. In a loom of that type which weaves a continuous length of fabric with alternate sections, one incorporating a main warp only and thevother the main warp and an auxiliary warp, main and auxiliary warp harnesses, the latter being.alter natively shiftable to bring the auxiliary warp into and out of the weaving plane of the main warp, alternately operating pick-counting devices respectively controlling the number of picks to be made in each section, actuating means therefor synchronized with the movements of the shuttle of the loom for registering the number of picks on one or the other of said pick-counting devices, said pick-counting devices being settable to predetermine the number of picks to be laid in each section, means actuated by one pickcounting device when the number of picks for which it has been set has been made for shifting the operative connection of said pick-counting device actuating means to the other pick-counting device, and shifting the auxiliary warp harness into or out of operative relation to the main Warp harness, a production counter for counting the units of weaving produced in the interval between the beginning of successive operating periods of said auxiliary harness, a solenoid for actuating said production counter in circuit with the switch of one only of said pick-counting devices for registering in said production counter the number of closures of said switch, said production counter being settable for any predetermined number of units, means for stopping the loom, and a switch in circuit with said means and mechanically closed by said production counter upon reaching the predetermined number of counts, for stopping the loom.

13. In a loom of that type which weaves a continuous length of fabric with alternate sections, one incorporating a main warp only and the other the main warp together with an auxiliary warp, main and auxiliary warp harnesses, the latter being shiitable into and out of the weaving plane of the main Warp, alternatively operating pick-counting devices respectively controlling the number of picks to be made in each section, solenoids for actuating said pick-counting devices, a signal for each pick-counting device adapted to be activated during the periods of inactivity of the pick-counting device with which it;is associated to indicate'that the] said pick-. ing-device isetly tg are c a. icle it h avi a: m v b rm m i t e i s nch qus w ththe movement -t cs hutt ei i e om b w en oppo te c ntact sa d ick i ch; wh n one osfi im i on:bei ier psedn omm n in the circuits of said solenoids, and in the other closed position in common in the circuits of said signals, said pick-counting devices being settable to predetermine the number of picks to be laid in each section, a switch associated with each pick-counting device and mechanically closed thereby when the predetermined number of picks has been registered on said pick-counting device, said switches each closing the circuit which actuates the other pick-counting device and the cir-' cuit which actuates the signal on its own pickcounting device, auxiliary warp harness operating mechanism comprising an arm oscillating synchronously with, the shuttle of the loom, a bar connected to said auxiliary warp harness detachably engaged by saidarm and reciprocated there by during the operative periods of said auxiliary warp harness, a shifter including a rocking lever,

alternatively actuated solenoids for rocking said lever in opposite directions, a cam on said bar, 7

means moved by said rocking lever to positions of engagement or disengagement with saidcam, for lifting said bar out of engagement'with said arm or returning it to engagement therewith, circuits alternately closed by the closing of the switches associated with the pick-counting devices'for actuating the solenoids, the resetting of either of the pick-counting device switches opening the signal circuit of the corresponding pick-counting device, a production counter for counting the units of weaving produced in the interval between the beginning of successive operating periods of said auxiliary warp harness, a solenoid for actuating said production counter in circuit with the switch of one only of said pick -countingdevices for registering in said production counter the number of closures of said switch, saidproduction counter being settable for any predetermined number of units, a signal for said production counter, loom stopping means, and a switch in circuit with said loom stopping means and said signal, said switch being mechanically closed bysaid production counter upon reaching the pre determined number of units for which itwas set, for stopping said loom and activating said signal.

14. In a loom of thattype which weaves a continuous length of fabric with alternate sections, one incorporating a main warp only, and the other themain warp and an auxiliary warp, main and auxiliary warp harness, the latter being alternatively shiftable to bring the auxiliary warp into and out of the Weaving plane of the main number of picks has been registeredby the re-.

spective counting devices, said switches eachjclosing a circuit which actuates the other counting device, an instrumentality for throwing said aux-' iliary warp harness into and out of operative position, circuits alternately closed by the closing of said pick-counting device switches for actuating said instrumentality to shift said auxiliary warp harness alternately'into and out of operamotion established when' the switches of said tive position, circuits closed by the respective pick-coufiting devices are in closed position at the same time, which occurs when both pick counters have reached their limit of count without on'e having been res t for stopping said loom. LYNDON W. JOYCE.

L. ROSS. 

